TomTom GO 930, 730 GPS: REVIEW

In our reviews of TomTom’s popular entry-level ONE series, including the ONE 130 and 130S and the ONE XL 330 and 330S, we’ve praised TomTom’s "ongoing innovative spirit and clever approach to design of their highly-customizable GPS devices." We’re impressed to see TomTom offering strong innovations in its mid- and upper-range offerings, too, with the GO 730 and 930 series (which replace the highly-rated GO 720 and 920 respectively), which offer a range of useful new features at even greater value. Laptop Magazine states, "the GO 930 is one of the best GPS values we’ve seen in the mid-range space," while, as About.com says the 930, "combines highly competent navigation and fast signal acquisition and route calculations with all of the latest technical goodies TomTom has to offer."

Note: The 730T and 930T models include the RDS-TMC traffic information receiver and a 1-year subscription to the TMC traffic information service. The TomTom GO 730 and 930 are identical with the exception of the following features found only in the 930:

Maps of Europe (in addition to maps of North America)

4 Gb of internal flash memory (versus 2 in the 730)

Enhanced Positioning Technology" which can maintain your position using inertial sensors if you lose satellite reception

Remote control.

The 730 and 930 distinguish themselves from their predecessors with the addition of advanced lane guidance, which helps you make sure you’re always in the right lane, along with its new IQ Routes feature which calculates routes based on actual average speeds rather than posted speed limits.

Until now, vehicle GPS units have done a superb job keeping you on the right road, but the GO 730 and 930 are the first to include advanced lane guidance, which helps guide you through complex, multi-lane intersections, highway divides and exit ramps by keeping you in the correct lane. A set of lane arrows appears in the lower left portion of the display and the display depicts the multiple lanes of the road you’re on. TomTom’s 3D and realistic images (see example below), which also shows road signs, makes the process easy and intuitive, with voice-guided instructions to match.

Also new on the 730 and 930 is TomTom’s IQ Routes feature, which calculates your fastest route based not on the posted speed limit, but on actual average driving times/speeds, a boon especially in congested suburban areas where persistent stoplights and traffic make the posted speed limit something of a cruel joke.

While the current generation of more sensitive GPS receivers has dramatically improved satellite reception, even around tall buildings and trees, it can be especially stressful to lose satellite reception in the middle of an urban area or in a tunnell as you navigate unfamiliar territory. Unique to the GO 930, TomTom’s Enhanced Positioning Technology (EPT) uses inertial sensors to track your car’s movements when no satellite reception is available. (In fact, early vehicle navigation systems relied on this exclusively, with surprising accuracy.)

As with the GO 720 and 920, the GO 730 and 930 accept a range of voice commands. Unlike the Magellan Maestro 4250 and 3250, the 730 and 930 allow you to enter a complete address using your voice. However, accuracy results have been mixed, according to both editorial reviewers and unit owners. It appears that Garmin has set the standard for voice recognition accuracy in its top-rated nuvi 800 series.

Both the 730 and 930 are capable of real-time traffic monitoring and avoidance, but require the additional purchase of an RDS-TMC Traffic Receiver and a subscription to the over-the-air traffic service. The 730T and 930T models come bundled with the traffic receiver and a 1-year subscription.

TomTom’s route preview feature displays an overall view of your route and allows you to select alternatives. TomTom’s “Help me!” safety feature allows you to find the location of the nearest hospital, police station, vet, dentist, pharmacy, etc. at the push of a button. The unit will also guide you if you want to “Drive to Help” or “Walk to Help.” Press “Where am I” and the unit will indicate your current position. TomTom has thoughtfully also included an electronic first aid guide as part of it’s “Help me!” feature.

Some owners & reviewers have reported display difficult to read in bright sunlight

TomTom’s “Map Share” feature allows you to make corrections and additions to your maps (e.g., blocked roads, updated information for points of interest, new streets or points of interest, etc.). You can make changes right on your portable GPS device and later upload and share them with other users using the TomTom HOME desktop companion software on your computer. There is no charge for this feature.

In our reviews of TomTom’s popular entry-level ONE series, including the ONE 130 and 130S and the ONE XL 330 and 330S, we’ve praised TomTom’s “ongoing innovative spirit and clever approach to design of their highly-customizable GPS devices.” We’re impressed to see TomTom offering strong innovations in its mid- and upper-range offerings, too, with the GO 730 and 930 series (which replace the highly-rated GO 720 and 920 respectively), which offer a range of useful new features at even greater value. Laptop Magazine states, “the GO 930 is one of the best GPS values we’ve seen in the mid-range space,” while, as About.com says the 930, “combines highly competent navigation and fast signal acquisition and route calculations with all of the latest technical goodies TomTom has to offer.”

Note: The 730T and 930T models include the RDS-TMC traffic information receiver and a 1-year subscription to the TMC traffic information service. The TomTom GO 730 and 930 are identical with the exception of the following features found only in the 930:

Maps of Europe (in addition to maps of North America)

4 Gb of internal flash memory (versus 2 in the 730)

Enhanced Positioning Technology” which can maintain your position using inertial sensors if you lose satellite reception

Remote control.

The 730 and 930 distinguish themselves from their predecessors with the addition of advanced lane guidance, which helps you make sure you’re always in the right lane, along with its new IQ Routes feature which calculates routes based on actual average speeds rather than posted speed limits.

Until now, vehicle GPS units have done a superb job keeping you on the right road, but the GO 730 and 930 are the first to include advanced lane guidance, which helps guide you through complex, multi-lane intersections, highway divides and exit ramps by keeping you in the correct lane. A set of lane arrows appears in the lower left portion of the display and the display depicts the multiple lanes of the road you’re on. TomTom’s 3D and realistic images (see example below), which also shows road signs, makes the process easy and intuitive, with voice-guided instructions to match.

Also new on the 730 and 930 is TomTom’s IQ Routes feature, which calculates your fastest route based not on the posted speed limit, but on actual average driving times/speeds, a boon especially in congested suburban areas where persistent stoplights and traffic make the posted speed limit something of a cruel joke.

While the current generation of more sensitive GPS receivers has dramatically improved satellite reception, even around tall buildings and trees, it can be especially stressful to lose satellite reception in the middle of an urban area or in a tunnell as you navigate unfamiliar territory. Unique to the GO 930, TomTom’s Enhanced Positioning Technology (EPT) uses inertial sensors to track your car’s movements when no satellite reception is available. (In fact, early vehicle navigation systems relied on this exclusively, with surprising accuracy.)

As with the GO 720 and 920, the GO 730 and 930 accept a range of voice commands. Unlike the Magellan Maestro 4250 and 3250, the 730 and 930 allow you to enter a complete address using your voice. However, accuracy results have been mixed, according to both editorial reviewers and unit owners. It appears that Garmin has set the standard for voice recognition accuracy in its top-rated nuvi 800 series.

Both the 730 and 930 are capable of real-time traffic monitoring and avoidance, but require the additional purchase of an RDS-TMC Traffic Receiver and a subscription to the over-the-air traffic service. The 730T and 930T models come bundled with the traffic receiver and a 1-year subscription.

TomTom’s route preview feature displays an overall view of your route and allows you to select alternatives. TomTom’s “Help me!” safety feature allows you to find the location of the nearest hospital, police station, vet, dentist, pharmacy, etc. at the push of a button. The unit will also guide you if you want to “Drive to Help” or “Walk to Help.” Press “Where am I” and the unit will indicate your current position. TomTom has thoughtfully also included an electronic first aid guide as part of it’s “Help me!” feature.

Some owners & reviewers have reported display difficult to read in bright sunlight

TomTom’s “Map Share” feature allows you to make corrections and additions to your maps (e.g., blocked roads, updated information for points of interest, new streets or points of interest, etc.). You can make changes right on your portable GPS device and later upload and share them with other users using the TomTom HOME desktop companion software on your computer. There is no charge for this feature.